Philanthropy: History of Fundraising

The interviewee discusses a background which led to a desire to get into the field of philanthropy. The various struggles of getting into and moving to the top positions in the fundraising field are discussed. Also discussed are the many changes occurring within the field, especially those pertaining to changing roles of women.

George A. Brakeley Jr., born in 1916, discusses his father's first experiences with John Price Jones and how these experiences brought him into the field of fundraising. He talks about the impact serving in the United States Army had on his life. Also, Brakeley recalls friendships he has made through his career and the satisfaction he has gained from his work as a fundraising consultant. He discusses the distinctions between his professional and personal life and shares memorable fundraising campaigns he has been involved with. He discusses the fact that his son is now involved in the field of philanthropy and the changes that have occurred over the generations.

Charles A. Brecht, born in 1918, discusses a little about his upbringing, especially his mother' influence on him to go to college. By accepting a position as Alumni officer at St. John's University while still a student, Brecht indirectly entered the field of fundraising. Following this, he got a position with John Price Jones, Inc. Brecht discusses the history of this company, its merger with Brakeley and Co., and the changes that have been and still are occurring in the field of philanthropy.

Melvin D. Brewer, born on March 6, 1913, discusses his life, especially the impact of the Great Depression, growing up, as a student, and as a Director of Admissions at Washington and Jefferson College. He discusses the effects serving in the military during World War I had on his outlook on life, as well as how these experiences opened him up to the philosophy of philanthropy. Brewer further expresses he intrinsic benefits of the fundraising field.

Donald Campbell, born on October 24, 1935, recalls his upbringing in a very small rural area as very service oriented through his grandfather's store. Campbell discusses his involvement in the United States Army Navy and its motivational influence on him to study seriously in college. At Finn college, Campbell's involvement in fundraising for his fraternity led him to a position in the Alumni Association. Campbell went on to hold a number of important positions in several fundraising organizations before becoming president of his own company. He discusses the setbacks and changes in the field of Philanthropy.

Ralph E. Chamberlain, born on June 15, 1926, discusses his strong background in the field of philanthropy through his parents' strong religious affiliation and support of the less fortunate, through his brother's involvement with the Salvation Army, and through his experience of the Great Depression. Chamberlain discusses the skills needed in order to be successful in the field of fundraising, as well as its values and intrinsic rewards. Chamberlain further talks about the changes in philanthropy across the country and over time.

Franklyn T. Cook discusses his religious upbringing and his exposure to human services as a child. He discusses his education and his unplanned employment as a social worker as well as his service in the United States Army, and how these different experiences gave him different perspectives of people in need. Cook speaks of his experiences in the field of fundraising and the part religion has often played. He discusses the many changes that have occurred and are continuing to occur in philanthropy. Cook describes fundraising as an art rather than a science.

John G. Foerst, born in 1927, discusses his upbringing and the effects the Great Depression had on his family. Foerst talks about his experience as a social worker and then the beginnings of his exposure to the fundraising field. After serving as a New York State Representative, Foerst speaks of his desire to settle down and become a lawyer, of his inadvertent introduction introduction to Community Counseling Services, and of his choice to remain in the field of philanthropy rather than continue with law school. Through his time in the field, Foerst discusses philanthropy's religious background, and the many changes that have and continue to occur. He also discusses the expansion of philanthropy throughout the world.

Jane C. Geever, born in 1946, discusses her childhood and the fact that both of her parents were involved in a sort of fundraising and human services through both the community and the church. Geever talks about her aspiration to work in the UN, but once there her disillusions of the field. She discusses her enjoyment of the fundraising aspect of her job in the UN and her consequent decision to join the field of fundraising. Once in the field, Geever describes her natural talent as it flourished and eventually led to stating her own firm. Geever, being one of the first leading ladies in the field of fundraising, discusses the ups and downs of this position as well as the changes she has both witnessed and been a part of.

E. Burr Gibson discusses growing up in a big family environment. He talks about planning to go for a master's degree on a fellowship, being approached by the March of Dimes and making the decision to take a position with the March of Dimes to gain experience and prestige rather than pursue higher education. This led him into a career in the field of fundraising. Gibson discusses the different levels of fundraising and the different techniques associated with each. He also discusses the history of philanthropy through Marts and Lundy, Incorporated and compares it to the rest of the world.

Henry Goldstein, born in 1933, discusses his early involvement in the field of fundraising through the New Jersey Community Chest and his early enjoyment of the work. He discusses his subsequent frustrations with the corruption in the Community Chest and surrounding corporations which led to his employment with the United Way of America and Harold Oram, Inc. Goldstein talks about the natural traits which he believes a good fundraiser must possess. He also discusses the changes that have occurred within the fundraising field, as well as what may come in the future.

Toni K. Goodale, born in 1941, discusses her active role at Smith College, which eventually led to an offer to work as a Fund Agent at her alma mater. She talks about learning the job and the fundraising business through her female role models. Goodale discusses going out on her own as a woman and the growth the field of fundraising has undertaken. She also discusses lingering misconceptions and problems within the field, including ethical issues.

Maurice G. Gurin, born in 1911, discusses his physician father's strong influence to work not for profit. He expresses his early interest in journalism and his work in public relations which inadvertently brought him to writing fundraising materials for organizations. Gurin discusses actually getting into the field and how the more he got into it, the more he enjoyed it. He also discusses the direction in which the field of philanthropy seems to be going.

Donald L. Kersting, born on April 1, 1922, discusses his father's great influence on him both personally and professionally. He discusses his father's involvement in the field of fundraising through John Price Jones, Inc. until beginning a firm of his own. Kersting talks about not wanting to get into the field of philanthropy due to his father's large circle of influence, but he eventually decided to give it a try and became increasingly intrigued by philanthropy.

Michael Radock discusses the strong work ethic he believes came from his upbringing. He discusses his interest in journalism during college. Radock goes on to talk about the differences in philanthropy around the world as apposed to America, as well as regional differences within America itself. He explains the "five I's formula", what works in philanthropy, and shares some experiences of his own in the field of fundraising

Henry A. Rosso, born on June 13, 1917, discusses his Italian upbringing and large family. He talks about running his own newspaper shortly after high school, and later working in public relations. Rosso speaks of getting into the field of fundraising and learning about it through his work in public relations. This eventually led to a position at Brakeley, John Price Jones, Inc. Rosso discusses moving up in the business into an unfulfilling management position; he soon went out on his own. Rosso talks a lot about the beginnings of the Fund Raising School, the changes that have occurred, and the courses it has to offer. He also discusses family of a fundraising professional.

Patrick J. Ryan, born in November of 1940, discusses his visual impairment of being legally blind and how that has affected him. He discusses his interest in the field of philanthropy at a young age, though he did not know its name. Ryan talks about his employment as assistant dean at his alma mater, the University of Kentucky following some work he did with his fraternity and how this job led to a position with Marts and Lundy, Incorporated Ryan expresses his enjoyment of the profession of fundraising.

John J. Schwartz, born on August 28, 1919, discusses the hardships of growing up during the Great Depression. He discusses his involvement with the United States Air Force during World War II and the effects this experience had on him including his goal to help society. Schwartz talks about getting hired by John Price Jones and giving up on the idea of college. He discusses the history of the AAFRC in depth and the changes that have occurred since its origin, as well as other organizations that have come into being within the field of philanthropy.

Wolcott D. Street, born on September 4,1906, discusses his upbringing in a single parent home with his mother, as well as his tough experience at boarding school. He discusses his inadvertent beginning in the field of fundraising due to a lack of employment, and his educational ties to John Price Jones through Exeter prep school and Harvard University. Street talks about his move from one company to another and his various mentors who taught him the fundraising business.

Harold T. Treash, born in 1918, discusses the influence his parents had on him in the areas of morale, ethics, and hard work. He talks about his work with the YMCA, which centered around fundraising. He enjoyed this work in the field of philanthropy and it eventually led him to a full time career as a fundraising counselor. Treash discusses the unchanging principles of fundraising and describes the differences between a fundraiser and fundraising counsel. He also talks about volunteers and their impact on the field of fundraising.